Jabber in the duck pond.

Short story. Set just after 'Building a Snipe Nest.' Again thanks to Death by manga for removing the worst mistakes.

I don't have any right to anything from One Piece. They are the creation of our Eiichiro Oda. I don't even own my own bird science, because I piece the text together from Wikipedia (but I do the research myself).

The Usual Animal Note:

Sanji: Duck and I believe it must be the Turfted duck, Aythya fuligula. Kinkurohajiro in Japanese according my wiki-fu. A diving ducks, a category of duck, which feed by diving beneath the surface of the water. Their breeding habitat is close to marshes and lakes with plenty of vegetation to conceal the nest. They are also found on coastal lagoons, the seashore, and sheltered ponds. The adult male is all black except for white flanks and a blue-grey bill. It has an obvious slightly curly head tuft that gives the species its name and bright yellow eyes.

Robin: Said to be a Crane and in this case the most likely crane is the Demoiselle Crane, Anthropoides virgo, Anehadzuru phonetically in Japanese. The Demoiselle Crane is slightly smaller than the Common Crane but has similar plumage. It has a long white neck stripe and the black on the fore-neck extends down over the chest in a plume. Like other cranes it has a dancing display, but more balletic than the Common Crane, with less leaping. During the breeding season, marshy areas are preferred the living spaces, while the cranes are more commonly found in dry grasslands throughout the winter. The Demoiselle Crane is known as the Koonj in the languages of North India and Pakistan, and figure prominently in the literature, poetry and idiom of the region. Beautiful women are often compared to the koonj because its long and thin shape is considered graceful. Metaphorical references are also often made to the koonj for people who have ventured far from home or undertaken hazardous journeys.

The Snipe the Tufted Duck and the Demoiselle Crane are all water living and wading birds.

Go look up the Tufted Duck and the Demoiselle Crane. I think they are really pretty birds. Uh... and I don't have a fixation on animals. I just think people (or comic authors) should be more specific when they mention that someone is like a crane, shark or duck.


Celebrations.

They walked out of the bookshop already happily occupied in her new book about Damascus steel and welding techniques. She pondered shortly whether Robin new anything about experimental archeology. Suddenly something was itching on her shoulder.

'To your left, Ensign Tashigi.' A light voice said from her shoulder. Tashigi looked down and saw a well-shaped mouth smiling up from her shoulder. She looked to her left.

Robin and Sanji were waving to her from a clothing store on the other side of the street. Tashigi looked around feeling a little guilty. Then she took off her Marine jacket and folded it to hide her insignia. Then she went over to the two pirates.

Robin hugged her tightly.

'I'm glad you're okay, Ensign!' Robin smiled. 'Our Swordsman said you were safe, but his definition of safety can be somewhat blurred.'

'I'm good.' Tashigi answered and waved to Sanji. 'And it's Lieutenant now.'

'Of course she's a Lieutenant now!' Sanji beamed. 'Our Tashi-chan is both beautiful and clever! Robin-san! We need to celebrate this!'

Tashigi blushed a little uncertain and Robin giggled softly.

'But, aren't you grocery shopping or something?' Tashigi mumbled. 'And, I shouldn't really be seen with pirates. All of you guys trying to save me, made some people a little suspicious.'

'Oh yes.' Sanji beamed at her. 'But there's always time to talk friends and pretty girls.'

'And I'd like to hear what happened to you.' Robin added. 'Since our Swordsman has returned he has almost been smiling, twice!'

Tashigi felt a blush coming. One thing was to be alone with Zoro and make certain decisions, another to talk about it to Robin, and her knowing smile, right there.

'Uh...nothing much happened.' Tashigi said and change the subject. 'How is Zo-chan?'

'That little pest!' Sanji mumbled angrily. 'The creature's doing too well.'

'The new pet trashed Mr. Cooks kitchen.' Robin laughed. 'But he's doing fine! Zo-chan eh? I guess you named it. I thought the name was a little unusual for the humble Zoro to come up with.'

'Well yeah.' Tashigi explained. 'Zo-chan has a bad temper, green fur and did nothing but eat and sleep or bite. And he was carrying a sword around in its mouth when I named him. I'm glad Zoro managed to take care of him.'

Sanji snorted and then laughed outright. Robin was giggling.

'A thorough and precise description.' Sanji smiled and his eyes gleamed. Tashigi guessed the Cook planned to make sure that from now on the green-haired Swordsman would hear about that name, a lot.

'Very funny.' Robin remarked. 'But you changed the subject, where were we?'

Tashigi winced at the Archaeologist and Robin smiled back.

'We should celebrate that our Tashigi was promoted to Lieutenant! What do you say, Sanji?'

'Of course! A wonderful and beautiful lady has achieved greatness! There should be fine wine and delicious food.' Sanji exclaimed and then frowned. 'But we don't really have time to make the food and get everybody, do we?'

'I think we should find a place to celebrate, just the three of us.' Robin suggested. 'That will be less conspicuous, too.'

'I still don't think...' Tashigi began.

'Nonsense!' Robin interrupted. 'Tell you what. We go in there and find you some other clothes and change your hairstyle.'

Robin handed Sanji her purchases and grabbed Tashigi and dragged her into the clothing store where she started messing around holding up clothes in front of Tashigi, suggested a few and had her try out some others. Tashigi flat out refused some of the very short skirts, but finally she found herself in a too short and tightly fitted top with black and marine stripes and an ankle length skirt with blue fish patterns. She tired to drag the top down to cover her stomach. Robin stopped her, handed her a pair of blue slippers and stood back to take a look.

'Stop doing that!' Robin scolded. 'The top is meant to show you off!'

'I really don't think this is my style.' Tashigi said a little flustered and fiddled with her new glasses.

'That's the point!' Robin smiled. 'Your other Mariners won't recognize their Tashigi and we can go and have a quiet drink. Here let me try something with your hair.'

Robin started tugging and dragging Tashigi's hair as the Marine fitted her feet in the suggested slippers. Tashigi really disliked dressing up, but Robin had a point. And she with a little fun with Sanji and Robin and just talk without worrying.

'I need somewhere to fasten Shigure in this.' She said to Robin.

'If you really insist.' Robin sighed. 'You think you can carry it on you back instead of by you side? It would be more not-you.'

Tashigi shook her head.

'Shigure is too long.' She explained. 'I wouldn't be able to draw her.'

Robin busied around and found a usable belt for Shigure. Tashigi put it on, fasted Shigure and was then dragged in front of a mirror.

She stared at the person in the mirror.

'Why pigtails?' Tashigi asked Robin and touched her hair.

'You have short hair, Tashi-chan. I really didn't have that many options. And I think we're going to stay with Tashi too, just to make sure.' Robin answered.

'I'm not sure. And I don't like wearing skirts!' Tashigi said and fiddled with the mentioned clothing.

'Come on, Tashi-chan.' Robin smiled. 'Relax a little and have some fun!'

Tashigi sighed but let Robin pay for the clothes and place her usual getup in a bag. Then they went out in the sun to find Sanji. He was waiting in the shadow, looking bored but when he saw them he got up and then suddenly his eyes turned wide.

'Is that you, Tashi-chan.' He exclaimed and grabbed one of her hands. 'That is so cute! The modest glasses, the sword and the new hairstyle. It is so perfect. Now I can die happy because I have seen a truly cute girl with glasses!'

Tashigi blushed and withdrew her hand. She new Sanji probably treated every girl like that, but is was still unnerving.

'Now I really need a drink!' Tashigi grumbled to Robin.

Robin just laughed and then started down the street.

They found a rather nice place with not too many nasty types. The sat down at a table in the corner and Sanji went to argue with the bartender about suitable wine, or whatever he deemed drinkable in this place. Robin and Tashigi sat silent for a while. Tashigi still squirming a little in her strange clothes.

'You and our Swordsman were lost for a while and managed to adopt a badger during your trip.' Robin finally said. 'Did you work out you differences?'

'Y...yeah. We parted as friends, I guess.' Tashigi answered.

Robin narrowed her eyes.

'There's more going on between you two, Tashi.' Robin said. 'Did he convince you to go back to the Marine again, instead of joining us?'

Tashigi looked puzzled at Robin.

'What do you mean?' She said. 'Is me who want to be a Marine. We...I... Zoro asked me once or twice if I wanted to come with him...But, but Smoker needs me, we're working on bringing Justice back to the Marine. And I like to help the common people.'

'Oh.' Robin said somewhat deflated. 'Well, if you're sure...'

'I'm sorry, Robin. I like you guys but...I didn't mean to hurt you!' Tashigi began when she saw her friend's expression.

'It's okay, Tashi.' Robin smiled and relaxed. 'I just hate it whenever Mr. Swordsman is right! I mean. He's such an oxymoron, and then it turns out he's been right all the time. And his suggestions always has their own mad logic. It's really annoying.'

Robin made a funny scowl on purpose and smiled at Tashigi. Tashigi laughed and smiled back.

'You're right. And Robin, you'd need more than Zoro's perpetual frown to keep me from joining the crew. I really like the Straw Hats, sort of, but it's complicated!'

'Mm.' Robin placed her head in her hand. 'Is it complicated between you and the Swordsman too?' She asked and winked.

Tashigi gritted her teeth and glared at the Archeologist.

'You keep returning to that!' She said angrily. 'It's fine. We have the same interest and understands swords and swordsmanship.'

'So, you're trying to convince me that you're not in love?' Robin said softly and lifted an eyebrow.

'Wha...NO!' Tashigi got hold of herself. 'I mean, no. I...we...it's not like that. We're just...It's just...biology!'

Tashigi knew she was all red. She leaned back in her chair and started fiddling with Shigure. Robin had lifted both her eyebrows now and were looking amused.

'Sorry, Robin.' Tashigi mumbled. 'But it's not very complicated. We just don't have time for silly stuff like that right now.'

Robin looked at her and then she sighed and patted Tashigi on the arm.

'It's okay, Tashi-chan.' Robin said soothingly. 'I just want all my friends to stay happy. Ah Sanji! Did you find anything good?'

Sanji placed a tray on the table and threw his arms out dramatically.

'You cannot imagine how hard it was to get that bastard in the bar to release these!' He exclaimed. 'Like this wine is more than just average! But I think the smoked, dried octopus is specially fine and the puffed peas has an excellent seasoning. Well. Dig in!'

They shared out the bowels and filled their glasses.

'To our new Lieutenant!' Robin toasted. 'May she always get her man.'

Tashigi first glared at Robin but then she laughed at toasted back.

'For good friends!' She toasted back. 'Cheers!'


Tashigi was feeling warm, happy and everything had a rosy glow. She knew she'd had too much wine, but Robin and Sanji had started telling some of the funnier stories from their travels and the wine was more than average, whatever Sanji thought. She'd gotten wine in her nose when she snorted at the explicit description of the lovesick zombie-warthog on the Thriller Bark. And right now Sanji was telling about their hurried trip on Puffing Tom to rescue Robin where Usopp had become the funny Sogeking. Robin were smiling happily and filled all of their glasses again.

Suddenly the Archaeologist stopped dead. She looked with big eyes out in the bar.

'I'm sorry.' Robin said. 'I have to go and talk to someone!'

'What? Who?' Sanji asked an looked a little worried. 'Are you going to leave again?'

'No. Of course not.' Robin said reassuringly. 'It's just someone I recognize from old times. Someone who knows about History.'

She got up and went over to another table where a lonely stranger sat and started working on introducing herself. She got allowed to sit down and was soon engrossed in a conversation with the old stranger.

Sanji turned back to Tashigi again and send her a brilliant smile.

'Well.' he said. 'Now it's just the two of us, sitting in a dimly lit corner and sharing a glass of wine, Tashi-chan.'

He took her hand carefully and smiled.

'Have I told you how beautiful your eyes are?' Sanji continued. Tashigi moved uncomfortable, she was not used to anyone trying to flirt with her.

'Sanji?' She asked and tried to pull her hand back. 'How often do you get hit by girls because of your unwanted attention?'

Sanji sighed and let go of her hand.

'I'm just appreciating the wonder of female beauty!' He complained. 'Nobody understands that!'

Tashigi smiled an patted his hand. And then changed the subject.

'Why is it that all of the Straw Hats want me to become a pirate? She asked him.

Sanji shrugged.

'Luffy likes you, and he's the Captain. And Zoro likes you too and he's pretty good at judging characters. I just think we should have more cute girls on the ship.' Sanji smiled and explained.

'You let Zoro judge which people who should join the crew?' Tashigi wondered out loud.

'No, of course not. Everyone knows he has an one track mind!' Sanji said. 'But he's is pretty good at seeing through people. He was complaining that Robin would be trouble when she first joined, and I guess having to rescue her from Enies Lobby was pretty troublesome. And he gets Luffy, which I honestly don't all the time. It's only with all the other stuff that he's slow and bad mannered!'

'Yeah, I guess I once saw him do the same with swords, just knowing the personality of the sword without asking.' Tashigi pondered.

'Speaking of which!' Sanji interrupted her with a low grumble. 'I hope the stupid Swordsman were well mannered after he dragged you out of the water! You two were lost for at long while.'

Tashigi groaned inside and barely stopped herself from grumbling ''You too''.

'He acted perfectly nice, Sanji.' She sighed then. 'He tried to help and protect me and he kindly let me prepare the food. Not that I'm so much into self-inflicted torture that I'd ever try any food that Zoro has had time to mistreat.'

The last comment made Sanji laugh.

'Well, I knew you weren't stupid.' He said smiling. 'That's good. I'll even forgive you for helping Zoro with the little green disaster.'

'And I believed that Zo-chan would have won all of you over by now.' Tashigi commented. 'He's so cute and fluffy, even if he often act like his Mommy!'

'Mommy?'

'Zoro, of course.' Tashigi explained.

Sanji laughed again.

'Chopper says that Zo-chan's word for Zoro is more like 'Big Brother,' but we might get him to change it still.' The Cook were laughing and emptied the bottles.

'Should I get some more?' He asked Tashigi.

Tashigi looked at her glass and then shook her head.

'I need to get back to my ship this evening, and I'd rather not having to come up with too many explanations.' She said and added. 'Could you get us some water or lemonade?'

Sanji nodded smartly. He got up and cleaned their table elegantly and sauntered away to the bar again.

Tashigi leaned back an tried to cool her warm cheeks with her colder fingers.

'You really look cute, you know.' Robin said and sat down at their table again. 'You should wear dresses more often.'

'Skirts are impractical in a sword fight.' Tashigi winced. 'And people start assuming I'm soft and nice if they see me in a dress.'

'But you are nice, Tashi-chan.' Robin commented. 'And you do wear girlish shirts with flowers!'

'It's not the same. I am a girl and I'm...I'm learning to be happy about it. And I like plants.' She said. 'But wearing dresses is different. Too many girls are using it to manipulate others. I don't want to do that!'

'It doesn't have to be like that. But it's your choice.' Robin shrugged.

Sanji came back with some nice grape and grapefruit lemonade and they drank up before leaving the bar.


A/N There is really nothing you can do to come over inebriation, but waiting for the liver to clean out the alcohol. But drinking lots of water and getting some sugar and salt will reduce the effect of the following dehydration.